Date: January 20, 2016
Contact: Jin Prugsawan, 435-772-7612
Springdale, UT- Zion National Park just received its latest "report card." While our nation's president issues a State of the Union address, the National Park Service has begun to issue State of the Park reports. The NPS is developing these reports to assess the overall status and trends of each park's resources and will use this information to improve park priority setting and to communicate complex park condition information to the public in a clear and simple way. There is a need for these periodic evaluations because NPS Management Policies (2006) state that "The Service will strive to ensure that park resources and values are passed on to future generations in a condition that is as good as, or better than, the conditions that exist today."
The Zion National Park State of the Park report provides a snapshot of the status and trend in the condition of the park's most important resources, facilities and visitor experiences;a summary of complex scientific, scholarly, and park operations information;highlights stewardship activities and accomplishments;and includes key issues and challenges facing park management.
Superintendent Jeff Bradybaugh noted, "This comprehensive evaluation of park resources, facilities, and visitor experiences is an important assessment to consider as the park embarks on the next phase of planning to determine the best way to manage the park with the rapidly increasing number of visitors coming to Zion. The State of the Park report will serve as a guide to inform our upcoming park management decisions and priorities for the future.
" Across the country, more "State of the Park" reports are underway and will be available upon completion. The report series is part of "Park Pulse," an action goal in A Call to Action: Preparing for a Second Century of Stewardship and Engagement, the National Park Service priorities for its second century. By the National Park Service Centennial in 2016, up to 50 parks will complete these in-depth assessments of key resources and values and will communicate their findings to the American people.
For the Zion National Park State of the Park report visit, WWW /stateofthepark.htm. State of the Park reports are online at www.nps.gov/stateoftheparks/ and on each park's website.
For more information about A Call to Action, Preparing for a Second Century of Stewardship and Engagement, visit www.nps.gov/calltoaction.
